Following Saturday's result, the club wishes to release the following request to its many supporters on behalf of the CEO, Chairman, Vice Presidents, MyFootballClub Trust Board and the Fleet Trust Board.
As of June 1 2009, it's estimated the football club will have a positive bank balance of around £30,000.
This does not include sales of 09/10 season tickets, but takes into account Eurostar sponsorship money (May 09 to April 10) plus all the funding available from MyFootballClub (approximately £80,000 as of 23/3/09).
It's rare for any professional football club, in any league, not to be burdened by debt, and we are in a minority of clubs in the Blue Square Premier, South and North divisions to be in such a position.
If we work together over the next couple of months, we can take advantage of this situation.
We estimate an extra £25,000 needs to be found each month to keep our playing squad as competitive as possible. Without additional and ongoing funding, the football club faces a tough 09/10 season.
Our strategy must be two-fold; keeping costs to an absolute minimum at the club, while raising extra funding to ensure the best possible Ebbsfleet United team takes to the pitch every week.
Cost cutting
From April 1st, a number of cost cutting measures will take place. Club CEO David Davis has offered to work on a voluntary basis for the club. A further saving has been made thanks to the generosity of Fleet Group Development (FGD), who is contracted to the club in order to deliver a new stadium. FGD have agreed to work for free of charge on behalf of the club, which could mean a saving of up to £40,000 per year.
Fund raising - giving monthly
Unlike other clubs, The Fleet does not rely on a single benefactor or small group of directors. The club's funding comes from its thousands of supporters across the world. This means that everyone giving The Fleet an affordable amount each month will help put the football club in a sustainable position.
The club's single biggest cost is its playing staff. Through 'Friends of the Fleet', supporters are able to contribute monthly, to invest in the playing staff, to help keep the club as competitive as possible for the 09/10 season.
Many individuals have already offered to give monthly to the club. In addition, The Fleet Trust has confirmed that it will contribute a monthly sum. And the club's ex-Directors have also agreed to give the club £300 each month.
Please join those who are contributing extra to the club by taking a look at the Friends of the Fleet page HERE. 2,500 Friends of the Fleet giving £10 each month (that's less than a pint of beer a week!) will help us find that additional £25,000 per month.
We have little over two months until the 2009/2010 playing budget is set on June 1 2009. Please help us to sign up as many Ebbsfleet United supporters as possible to Friends of the Fleet so we can build towards a successful 2009/2010 season.
(Note to moderators - please moderate this thread to only include posts from those who are/intend to contribute monthly to Friends of the Fleet. Thank you.)
